Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-01-06

"You are wicked, unprincipled boyr"
returned, detiantly, springing behind the
door to avoid his second attack. In his
fury he jerlsed the door with such force as
to throw himself against table that stood
near. His howl of pain brought his mother
to the scene of conflict.
"That young viper few at me like a
tiger, and hammered my face into jelly -
screamed he, wiping the blood from the
slight wound.
l tried to explain, but Aunt Phillis would
not listen to me. Grasping me by the arm,
she shook me roughly, and then, after box.
ing my ears, showed me toward the stair
case, declaring, that as punishment for
my ungrateful conduct, would not be per-
mitted to speak for a month, except when
answering questions.
l crept upstairs as fast. as M suffering
and binding tears would permit, and
throwing myself upon my bed. gave way to
an outburst Of grief The pain inflicted by
the cruel blows mad received was nothing
to the excruciating torture of soul / was
compelled to endure.
What sad, sad Christmas it had been to
me. Only a fortnight before I had, in
dumb agony, listened to the clods rafting
upon the coffin-lid Of my dear father, who
all my life had shielded me from hardships.
The dear old parsonage with its vine-ciad
porch, rose up before me, ard in its shad-
Ow beheld my silver haired father, doz-
ing in his easy chair, the golden rays of a
summer sunset touching his saintod face as
with tho pencil of an angel. Again, his
gentle voice thrilled my soul as in days
gone by, and, in fancy. his loving fingers
were upon my head as we knelt side by side
in prayer.
No doubt he intended to prepare me for
the shock that had almost crushed me, but
the summons came suddenly, and while
slept the angels carried him into Abraham'S
bosom.
How long 1 would have wept over my
shattered life can not tell, had not Aunt
Phillis' shrill voice called me back to duty.
''Take 'em W; lite dimity curtains down
from the window, Elsie. Like as not the
master will spatter 'cm with terbacker
juice. Them college chaps is a WOOL
gathering set q: best" she said, with en-
phasis.
l obeyed her promptly, but my heart
ached for Master MELVILLE, who expected
to find the comforts of his refined home in
this diminutive apartment that was devoid
alike Of ornament or convenience. What a
different welcome was my dear old father
wont to give the stranger within his gate!
That same evening, as was gathering
kinding for the morning fire, John came
suddenly upon me, and renewed his attack
of the morning.
$50, Miss Stuck-up, you are to be the
lady. and the servant" he began. "Real-
ly, feel proud Of my smart cousin. How
fortunate to have your highness counted as
one Of the family"
''Shame on you, boy, to thus torment q
girl smaller than yourself"
It was Master Newville's voice that
startled the young coward, causing him to
sneak around the kitchen out of sight.
After speaking few kind words to me
my champion went into the house and up
the narrow stairs to his cherries room.
Johns taunt concerning my Gnship
nerved ME to action. and from that moment
set my face tixedly towards gaining a
point from which he would feel hcnored in
claiming me as one Of the family. THIS